Timing switching mechanism with adjustable program sleeve for drum actuator

ABSTRACT

A multipole, multithrow rotating switch. The switch comprises a rotatable nonconductive cylinder coated or covered with a conducting material. The coating or covering is selectively removed or covered so that contacts are selectively electrically coupled during rotation of the cylinder.

United States Patent Vernon W. Schuenke West Allis, Wis.

Dec. 1, 1969 Jan. 4, 1972 Casper W. Heinrich Milwaukee,

Robert Kornacki Waukesha, Wis. part interest to each inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignees TIMING SWITCHING MECHANISM WITH ADJUSTABLE PROGRAM SLEEVE FOR DRUM ACTUATOR M ii- 3,154,645 10/1964 Parlato 200/38 C 3,301,025 1/ 1967 Gruner 200/46 X 2,164,964 7/1939 Topalor.... 200/24 X 2,247,942 7/ 1941 Koevend 200/8 X 2,723,319 11/1955 Sebring et a1. 200/8 UX 2,756,293 7/1956 Bitler 200/8 UX 3,010,182 1 1/1961 Quinlan 290/24 X 3,011,041 11/1961 Bakels 200/8 X 3,036,165 5/1962 Kallin et a1. 200/24 X 3,150,240 9/1964 Voss 200/8 3,238,316 3/1966 Voss 200/8 3,287,633 1 H1966 M0110 200/24 X 3,330,917 7/19 67 Grundfest 200/8 X Primary Examiner-.1. R. Scott AltomeyAlter, Weiss & Whitesel ABSTRACT: A multipole, multithrow rotating switch. The switch comprises a rotatable nonconductive cylinder coated or covered with a conducting material. The coating or covering is selectively removed or covered so that contacts are selectively electrically coupled during rotation of the cylinder.

PAIENTEDJAN 4W2 3.632.912

SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTOR VERNON W. SCHUENKE ATTORNEYS TIMING SWITCHING MECHANISM WITH ADJUSTABLE PROGRAM SLEEVE FOR DRUM ACTUATOR My invention relates to a sequence timing switch, and more particularly to a rotatable timing switch, for actuating a plurality of circuits simultaneously.

The prime object of my invention is to provide a switch that may be rotatably set for actuating one, or a plurality of circuits for diversified functions.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device for the character described, that may be designed to actuate any number of circuits in sequence.

Still another object of my invention is to retain the position of the revolving switch, at any predetermined point.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device that may be manually, or mechanically actuated.

A still further object is to provide a device designed to incorporate numerous circuits, with a corresponding number of contacts.

It is manifest to anyone familiar with the art, that quite frequently numerous switches in a circuit, need to be operated in relation to one another, for the actuation of numerous electrically actuated devices, such as light bulbs, motors, control solenoids, computer circuits, or the like.

The device illustrated, described, and claimed herein, represents a single unit, designed to perform a plurality of functions by opening and closing circuits in relation to one another.

The device is economical to manufacture, can be operated without any special mechanical skill, and is positive in its operation.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunc tion with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1, is a perspective view of the entire assembled device, designed for manual manipulation.

FIG. 2, is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 1, with a fragmentary cross section showing the parts constituting the device.

FIG. 3, is a plan view of a modified design, showing the device actuated by a motor, equipped with a speed reducer.

FIG. 4, is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the device, showing the insulated portions recessed.

FIG. 5, is a fragmentary cross section, illustrating the application of insulated portions adherently applied to the periphery of the contact drum, or cylinder.

FIG. 6, is a schematic layout, showing 20 contacts in two circuits.

FIG. 7, is similar schematic view, showing circuits with 20 contacts, and

FIG. 8, is a similar view with 10 contacts on three separate and distinct circuits.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts and features throughout the severalviews, and referring now to the same, the character 10 shows a cylindrical member constructed of a nonconducting material, such as plastic or the like, permanently mounted onto a horizontally disposed shaft 11, supported by two end plates 12 and 13, in any convenient practical manner. The plates 12 and 13, are held in parallel relation to one another, by two threaded rods 14 and 15.

The shaft 11 is shown equipped with a knurled knob 16, to permit manual rotation of the cylinder 10. By referring to FIG. 2, I show the plate 12 equipped with a plurality of recesses 17, for supporting a plurality of ball bearings 18, recessed in a resilient plate 19, keyed to the shaft 11, providing detents for retaining the cylinder 10 in a fixed position, when revolved by the knob 16, on the shaft 11.

The threaded rod 15 is shown equipped with a longitudinal plate 20, supporting contact members such as member 21, attached to plate at 22 in any well-known manner. The ends of the contact members 2] have apertures 23 extending therethrough for receiving leads such as lead 24 in soldered connection therewith. Thus, the contact members act as terminals for leads going to circuits being controlled and to power sources. The terminals are denoted by terminal designation numbers (1-10 of FIG. 3, for example) or by the letter 6'' in the case where the terminals are connected to the power sources. The nonconducting cylinder 10 is covered by a conducting cylindrical sleeve 27 which may be metallic (see FIG. 4 and 5). The sleeve 27 may cover the entire peripheral surface of the cylinder 10, or may be in the form of a plurality of sections, spaced apart from one another at 28, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. These sleeves 27 being of metal, are for conducting the current when contacted by the contact members 21, and may be recessed at 29, so the member 2] engages the recess 29 to break the contact while the entire cylinder revolves, or if desired, particles of nonconductive material shown as 30 in FIG. 5, may be adherently applied to the sleeve 27 to break the circuit. The cylinder 10 can be rotated using knob 16, or using motor 25 and speed reducer From the above description it will become apparent that the device is positive in its function and performance. As the cylinder is revolved, either manually, or mechanically, the electrical current source as indicated by the letter 6" engages the metallic sleeve 27 through the contact member 31, and if any of the contacts such as contact 21 simultaneously engage the sleeve 27 the circuit is closed. In other words the circuit leading from the contacts 31 to 21 is opened, or closed, depending on the engagement of the contact 21 with a portion of the sleeve 27; or if the contact-21 reaches a recess 29, the circuit would immediately be opened.

The number of sleeves 27 on the cylinder 10 may be varied and spaced apart from one another at 28, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the number of contacts 21 would depend on the number of circuits being serviced by the device.

Although I have shown a specific construction, I am fully cognizant of the fact that many changes may be made in the parts and their arrangement, without effecting the operativeness of the device, and 'I reserve the rights to make such changes as I desire, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States, is:

l. A multipole, multithrow rotating switch,

said switch comprising a plurality of stationary contact members, i

means for coupling wires to said contact members,

cylinder mounted means for rotation with one end of said plurality of contact members abutting the longitudinal surface of said cylinder means,

sleeve means covering the said longitudinal surface of said cylinder means,

recesses located in said sleeve means to enable the selective interconnection of different combinations of said plurality of contact members at different rotational positions of said cylinder means,

means for rotating said cylinder means,

said means for rotating said cylinder means comprising axle shaft means for mounting said cylinder means, and means for rotating said shaft and said cylinder means,

said cylinder means being fabricated from a nonconductive material, and

said sleeve means being conductive whereby the connections are made when the contact members are contiguous to the sleeve means and connections are not made when the contact members are in the recesses;

2. A multipole, multithrow rotating switch,

said switch comprising a plurality of stationary contact members,

means for coupling wires to said contact members,

cylinder means mounted for rotation with one end of said plurality of said contact members abutting the longitudinal surface of said cylinder means,

sleeve means covering the said longitudinal surface of said cylinder means,

said sleeve means comprising a conductive layer and a nonconductive layer,

the desired members at different rotational positions.

3. The switch of claim I wherein the said sleeve means is divided into electrically unconnected sections to form a plurality of isolated circuits.

4. The switch of claim 2 wherein said conductive layer is divided into electrically independent sections to form a plurality of isolated circuits. 

1. A multipole, multithrow rotating switch, said switch comprising a plurality of stationary contact members, means for coupling wires to said contact members, cylinder mounted means for rotation with one end of said plurality of contact members abutting the longitudinal surface of said cylinder means, sleeve means covering the said longitudinal surface of said cylinder means, recesses located in said sleeve means to enable the selective interconnection of different combinations of said plurality of contact members at Different rotational positions of said cylinder means, means for rotating said cylinder means, said means for rotating said cylinder means comprising axle shaft means for mounting said cylinder means, and means for rotating said shaft and said cylinder means, said cylinder means being fabricated from a nonconductive material, and said sleeve means being conductive whereby the connections are made when the contact members are contiguous to the sleeve means and connections are not made when the contact members are in the recesses.
 2. A multipole, multithrow rotating switch, said switch comprising a plurality of stationary contact members, means for coupling wires to said contact members, cylinder means mounted for rotation with one end of said plurality of said contact members abutting the longitudinal surface of said cylinder means, sleeve means covering the said longitudinal surface of said cylinder means, said sleeve means comprising a conductive layer and a nonconductive layer, recesses selectively located in said sleeve means to enable the selective interconnection of different combinations of said plurality of contact members at different rotational positions of said cylinder means, means for rotating said cylinder means comprising axle shaft means for mounting said cylinder means and means for rotating said shaft and said cylinder means, and said conductive layer being exposed at the recesses to selected ones of said contact members to interconnect the desired members at different rotational positions.
 3. The switch of claim 1 wherein the said sleeve means is divided into electrically unconnected sections to form a plurality of isolated circuits.
 4. The switch of claim 2 wherein said conductive layer is divided into electrically independent sections to form a plurality of isolated circuits. 